There was a point in time not too long ago when it seemed like a Davante Adams trade was almost inevitable for the NY Jets. Jets fans dreamed of reuniting Adams with Aaron Rodgers in Florham Park, and the possibility of a trade seemed likely.
The Las Vegas Raiders were losing. Adams was vocally unhappy. It made sense that he would try to force his way out in the offseason, likely to reunite with Rodgers, which had been strongly hinted in the past.
Then the Raiders fired Josh McDaniels, and the entire vibe of the organization changed under Antonio Pierce’s leadership. After the season, Adams and numerous Raiders players publicly went to bat for their interim coach, with star pass rusher Maxx Crosby even threatening a trade request.
In the end, the Raiders officially made Pierce their full-time head coach on Friday, and in doing so, they likely ended any hopes the Jets had of trading for Adams.
The Jets are expected to be in the market for a big-name wide receiver this offseason, and Adams has been at the top of their potential list of targets for quite some time now.
The 31-year-old wide receiver is fresh off his fifth 1,100+ yard season in six years and was named first-team All-Pro in three of the last four seasons. He remains one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
Adams’ numbers dipped slightly in 2023 in an offense led by Jimmy Garoppolo and Aidan O’Connell, as he finished with 103 catches for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns. Yes, that was a down year for him.
In a league full of talented wide receiver duos, the tandem of Adams and Garrett Wilson would have a strong claim to being the very best receiver duo in the NFL. Unfortunately, that dream seems to have died.
Adams stated earlier this month that he “100 percent” wanted Pierce to remain the Raiders’ head coach. The days of Adams being unhappy with his situation in Vegas are over. The Pierce hire solidifies that.
Antonio Pierce hire ends NY Jets’ dreams of a Davante Adams trade
The Jets could turn their attention to other high-profile wide receivers who might be available this offseason, such as Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, and Michael Pittman Jr. But the Davante Adams pipedream is seemingly over.
Don’t expect an Aaron Rodgers/Davante Adams reunion in 2024 or anytime in the future.
